Although Manchester City suffered a third consecutive exit from the Champions League against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, there were still several positives to take away from the match at the Etihad Stadium.
While players like Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku dazzled with their attacking flair, it often appeared that only one player could effectively counter the surge of Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr.—and that was Abdukodir Khusanov.
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It’s been just over a year since the Uzbek defender joined Manchester City as part of an emergency squad brought in to salvage the Blues’ challenging 2024-25 season. In that short time, he has already undergone significant experiences in the North West of England.
Before joining Manchester City, Khusanov had spent two years as a professional with Belarusian club Energetik-BGU. He then moved to Ligue 1 side Lens in the summer of 2023, where he initially faced challenges in securing a first-team spot but eventually became a regular starter by 2024.
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Khusanov’s remarkable blend of speed and strength, combined with an aggressive playing style that fully utilizes his natural talents, drew the attention of various clubs across Europe. After just 31 appearances for Lens, he was acquired by City in January 2025.
The 22-year-old’s Premier League journey began with a difficult moment—a mistake led to Chelsea scoring only moments into his debut with Manchester City. This gaffe has lingered in the minds of commentators and fans, often overshadowing his subsequent performances, especially given his limited grasp of English at that time.
However, those who closely follow City can attest that this misstep was an anomaly in Khusanov’s tenure; he was named Etihad Player of the Month in February 2025, and a first-half yellow card against Bournemouth later saw Nico O’Reilly cement his spot in the starting lineup, sidelining Khusanov for the rest of that season.
Injuries and competition for places limited his opportunities early in the current campaign, but when both starting center-backs Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol were sidelined—ironically against Chelsea—Khusanov truly began to shine.
Partnered with either academy graduate Max Alleyne or January signing Marc Guehi, Khusanov has been nearly flawless since the calendar turned, starting in 15 of City’s last 19 matches and earning the total trust of Pep Guardiola.
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Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid highlighted the remarkable development Khusanov has achieved in his 14 months at the Etihad.
His physical attributes remain his greatest strength, as he adeptly neutralized the threat posed by Vinicius Jr. multiple times—apart from a questionable yellow card on an earlier play—and executed an impressive sprint and slide tackle to deny Brahim Diaz.
Against the Spanish giants, Khusanov completed 58 of 59 passes, showcasing his quick adaptation to Guardiola’s style of play, an impressive feat for a player still early in his developmental stage at such a high level.
With improving communication skills, awe-inspiring recovery speed that consistently captivates the Etihad crowd, and his signature robust tackles that send opponents tumbling, it’s clear why Khusanov has quickly become a fan favorite among City supporters, just as he has in his home country.
More than that, Tuesday night felt like a true turning point for the young defender—despite competition from the likes of Dias, Guehi, and the eventual return of Gvardiol, it’s hard to dispute that Khusanov deserves a permanent place in the Manchester City lineup now and for the future.